Obituary: Game designer, producer and educator Christopher Erhardt

[12.06.12]

Seattle area video game designer, producer and educator Dr. Christopher Erhardt passed away earlier this week. He was in his 50s.

Erhardt worked in game development for some 19 years, shipping over 22 titles in roles ranging from lead designer to executive producer. His graduate studies in psychology from Harvard gave depth to his titles, which included SSI's Pool of Radiance and Westwood's Battletech: The Crescent Hawk's Inception.

Erhardt transitioned to education in 1998, becoming DigiPen's Professor of Game Design and Production, where he developed a level design program with Valve and worked with Microsoft Game Studios to integrate its XNA platform into the classroom.

Erhardt also taught game design and production in Beirut, was the head of US operations for The Academy of Interactive Entertainment, and was one of the founding members of IGDA's Seattle chapter.

He is survived by wife Madeline and children Emilio, Estelle and Emma.

The only university in the nation to offer 5 game degree programs, UAT’s game development majors equip students with the knowledge of what is involved at all levels of game development—from theory and concept through programming and project production.